SUZUKI GSX650

650cc Petrol Class 2

#2050 of 5426 overall #246 of 680 SUZUKIs #1247 of 2787 other bikes

86.5%

first-time pass rate

7.6%

failed outright

13,011

median miles at test

1,694

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2025

The GSX650's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2011 (88.1% → 87.7%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the GSX650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GSX650 passes first time 92.7% of the time; by 40k that's 76.2%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a GSX650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	68	27.9	0.7×
tyres and wheels	36	14.8	0.9×
lighting and signalling	30	12.3	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	26	10.7	0.9×
steering and suspension	19	7.8	0.3×
tyres	17	7	1.4×
suspension	15	6.1	1.0×
drive system	15	6.1	0.9×
structure and attachments	10	4.1	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	8	3.3	0.5×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GSX650 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the GSX650.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2011 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 2009 (85.7%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

SUZUKI GSX650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SUZUKI GSX650 reliable?

The SUZUKI GSX650 is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 1,694 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2050 of 5426 models.

What does a GSX650 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 28% of all defects recorded against failed GSX650 tests.

What is the best year of GSX650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (91.5%) and 2009 worst (85.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GSX650 last?

The median GSX650 shows 13,011 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 76.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.